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Feb 12th, 2024
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 Should I buy a Leupold?
#9074823
07/12/24 02:09 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,367
scottfromdallas
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,367 |
The Mark 4 thread got me looking. I’ve been a Leupold hater recently due to their cheaper early run of CDS system failures.
Midway still has the old Mark 4s available. Looking hard at the 4.5-14x50 with M5 turrets.
It has the features and power range I want. Front focal plane, TMR reticle, mil turrets and only 21 ounces. Price is $1000. I’m thinking it would be nice on my Tikka CTR 308. I love the weight and the TMR reticle is a great reticle.
It’s an older model but the Mark 4s have seen military use and I personally have seen the scope work great on a friends SCAR 17 for 5 years and still going. SCARs are known scope destroyers. Another friend has one on a Barret 50 cal.
I think I talked myself in to it unless someone can talk me out of it,
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#9074831
07/12/24 02:27 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,745
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,745 |
You might do okay. You might be sorry.
I used to be a dyed-in-the-wool Leupold guy, but when I saw that "live" thing they did seven or eight years ago, where they had a couple of flat-billed cap wearing corksoakers denying all the complaints Leupold owners had concerning tracking and RTZ, I decided to exit, stage left. There are too many scopes out there that track reasonably well (I'm not talking about dialing to make 852-yard shots, I just want turrets that function more or less properly) and have decent glass and appealing reticle choices.
To me that felt a lot like Leupold was pissing on my leg and telling me it was raining. Thanks, but no thanks.
![[Linked Image]](https://i.imgur.com/Kqs020H.jpg) "Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#9074911
07/12/24 12:15 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,594
wp75169
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,594 |
I’m with RiverRider on this. As a set and forget hunting scope the VX-5 is great. My last letdown on dialing was a Mk-5. They replaced the erector then stated there was nothing wrong with it to start with. Then why did you replace it? The older Mk-4 had tracking issues they claimed they fixed in the Mk-5. I think they went from one spring to two. Weak springs, the reason for the Leupold tap after dialing. I’m sure most of them are good, but a failure rate of even 2% sounds like a gamble to me.
I did jump way up the scale to ZCO but it’s not necessary to get a reliable scope.
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#9074916
07/12/24 12:36 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 42,162
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 42,162 |
No you should not.
Night Force NX8, you should.
![[Linked Image]](http://www.precisionriflehunters.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/garvey.jpg) 800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#9074919
07/12/24 01:00 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,876
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,876 |
Bottom line, never trust a man whose uncle was eaten by cannibals.-Sen Joni Ernst
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#9074928
07/12/24 01:19 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 19,186
ChadTRG42
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Sep 2009
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I'm assuming your talking about this scope below. That is their older style turrets. It has all the desired features for a good tactical/hunting rig. It's mil, FFP and I do like their TMR reticle. The turrets are ok, but a little mushy and spin easy. So, if you are hunting with it, you'll have to keep an eye on the turret to make sure it has not spun and dialed you off zero. It's on clearance, so it's not a bad deal. I only have one Leupold scope, and it's a VX-7 (when they made them) and I like it a lot. I have it on a hunting rifle and It has collapsible turrets, which lock the turrets from spinning. I have no complaints on it. And as a lot of shooters say, "the glass is great!" https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362369641?pid=484450
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: ChadTRG42]
#9074935
07/12/24 01:34 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,367
scottfromdallas
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,367 |
I'm assuming your talking about this scope below. That is their older style turrets. It has all the desired features for a good tactical/hunting rig. It's mil, FFP and I do like their TMR reticle. The turrets are ok, but a little mushy and spin easy. So, if you are hunting with it, you'll have to keep an eye on the turret to make sure it has not spun and dialed you off zero. It's on clearance, so it's not a bad deal. I only have one Leupold scope, and it's a VX-7 (when they made them) and I like it a lot. I have it on a hunting rifle and It has collapsible turrets, which lock the turrets from spinning. I have no complaints on it. And as a lot of shooters say, "the glass is great!" https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362369641?pid=484450That is the one I’m talking about. The combo of weight, features and price are really tempting. At 21 ounces, nothing else is close. I appreciate everyone’s feedback, there are more people advising me against than I thought there would be but Leupold has been rather spotty lately. I know Jason has seen a lot of Leupolds with issues.
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#9075019
07/12/24 04:39 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 42,162
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 42,162 |
Yes, in the last few years I've had rifles left with me wearing Leupolds. I don't have memory of a single one tracking properly to 800 yards. I zero everything at 100. Plug in the hand loaded ammo parameters, in the ballistic calculator then go prove or disprove it to the end of the rifle range. No Leupold has made an "A" grade that I can recall. I'll allow a scope to be off a 1/4 MOA or 1/10 Mil here or there. But Leupold's errors have been much larger than that.
Vortex
Swarovski
Zeiss
Leupold
All in the same category with me. I won't own their rifle scopes. I do own a Swarovski spotting scope though.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#9096747
08/23/24 01:57 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 42,162
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 42,162 |
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: J.G.]
#9096763
08/23/24 02:08 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,367
scottfromdallas
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,367 |
LOL. I am shocked the Leupold defenders never showed up on this thread. Full disclosure, I did buy it.  I knew the risks, hopefully it works out for me.
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#9096799
08/23/24 02:34 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 94
mdwest
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 94 |
Over the years Ive gone from a pretty die hard Zeiss guy... to an almost exclusively Leupold guy... to recently back to being a Zeiss guy...
At full retail price point, I think there are better options out there right now than the mid to high line Leupolds for the same amount of money...
That said, if youre eligible for their VIP program (public servant, active military, veteran, or shooting/hunting industry professional).. you can get most of their stuff for about 40% off of MSRP when you buy direct from Leupold.. which is roughly dealer (wholesale) price...
At the VIP price point, the VX3, VX5, VX6, etc lines are seriously good values..
That said.. if you belong to one of the discount groups like guidefitter (similar to leupold VIP.. if youre a public servant, mil, vet, industry, etc youre probably eligible).. there are some screaming good deals on swarovski, steiner, maven, and others...
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#9096802
08/23/24 02:38 PM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,499
Huntmaster
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,499 |
I think the “majority” of the Leopold Defenders on here are out putting corn in their feeders or working.
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#9096832
08/23/24 03:11 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,861
GTT
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,861 |
I love that reticle, best I've seen for a FFP scope.
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: mdwest]
#9096845
08/23/24 03:39 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 42,162
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 42,162 |
Over the years Ive gone from a pretty die hard Zeiss guy... to an almost exclusively Leupold guy... to recently back to being a Zeiss guy...
At full retail price point, I think there are better options out there right now than the mid to high line Leupolds for the same amount of money...
That said, if youre eligible for their VIP program (public servant, active military, veteran, or shooting/hunting industry professional).. you can get most of their stuff for about 40% off of MSRP when you buy direct from Leupold.. which is roughly dealer (wholesale) price...
At the VIP price point, the VX3, VX5, VX6, etc lines are seriously good values..
That said.. if you belong to one of the discount groups like guidefitter (similar to leupold VIP.. if youre a public servant, mil, vet, industry, etc youre probably eligible).. there are some screaming good deals on swarovski, steiner, maven, and others... You can get Night Force at a discount through those same sources. That's if you want a scope that's easy to get zeroed, since it tracks. And if you want a scope you plan on dialing for elevation.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: Huntmaster]
#9096847
08/23/24 03:39 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 42,162
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 42,162 |
I think the “majority” of the Leopold Defenders on here are out putting corn in their feeders or working. Not too difficult to kill a whitetail at 100 yards. Lots of them have been killed with iron sights.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#9096860
08/23/24 03:59 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,959
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,959 |
I have a V-X 6 on my .300.
Love the scope, and it does have adjustable turrets, but I have a max hunting range if 400 yards and I’ll holdover on that.
Will test the turrets here in the next month.
Can’t speak to how well they track. Can speak to how clear the glass is.
Partner shoots the HD 6 and had killed multiple sheep with the dial including a Marco Polo at 676 yards.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#9096886
08/23/24 05:06 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,947
onlysmith&wesson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,947 |
I've dialed my Leupold VX5-HD Hundreds of times, literally. Once about 9 different ranges and 45 shots over a couple of hours, nailed everything. I've dialed it and killed coyotes at 550, 370, 330, many more. Pigs, killed a dozen or more dialing out to 450 yards. Deer, only one that I used my dial on and that was 420 yards. Without using the dial on the same scope............I've lost count of everything I've killed with it. I have another one on a different rifle, two years now, same results.
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#9096902
08/23/24 05:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,876
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,876 |
Will never own another luppy again after this year. Having to look down the side of barrel to kill a bear is BS. They had three chances and 2/3 failures isn’t great odds Night force and March Impact test their scopes. Certain Maven scopes have survived third party impact testing. Ironically Leupold normally fails 3rd testing, not always but it does. I saw impact testing on mark 4 the other day that looked promising. If your scope manufacturer only recommends 18lbs of torque, why. Is the scope tube too thin? All things mechanical fail, the rate of failure is not a guarantee of failure just a probability. I hope no one’s scope fails. Odds are if you careful it won’t, but accidents do happen. I’ll admit I’m rough on stuff, and probably an exception to most cases
Bottom line, never trust a man whose uncle was eaten by cannibals.-Sen Joni Ernst
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#9096931
08/23/24 05:46 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,947
onlysmith&wesson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,947 |
Will never own another luppy again after this year. Having to look down the side of barrel to kill a bear is BS. They had three chances and 2/3 failures isn’t great odds Night force and March Impact test their scopes. Certain Maven scopes have survived third party impact testing. Ironically Leupold normally fails 3rd testing, not always but it does. I saw impact testing on mark 4 the other day that looked promising. If your scope manufacturer only recommends 18lbs of torque, why. Is the scope tube too thin? All things mechanical fail, the rate of failure is not a guarantee of failure just a probability. I hope no one’s scope fails. Odds are if you careful it won’t, but accidents do happen. I’ll admit I’m rough on stuff, and probably an exception to most cases Where are you getting 18lbs? I thought it was 28?
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: onlysmith&wesson]
#9096937
08/23/24 06:02 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,876
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,876 |
Will never own another luppy again after this year. Having to look down the side of barrel to kill a bear is BS. They had three chances and 2/3 failures isn’t great odds Night force and March Impact test their scopes. Certain Maven scopes have survived third party impact testing. Ironically Leupold normally fails 3rd testing, not always but it does. I saw impact testing on mark 4 the other day that looked promising. If your scope manufacturer only recommends 18lbs of torque, why. Is the scope tube too thin? All things mechanical fail, the rate of failure is not a guarantee of failure just a probability. I hope no one’s scope fails. Odds are if you careful it won’t, but accidents do happen. I’ll admit I’m rough on stuff, and probably an exception to most cases Where are you getting 18lbs? I thought it was 28? if “your”(as in a generality) scope company only recommends 18lbs, ask why. It wasn’t specific to a certain scope company.
Bottom line, never trust a man whose uncle was eaten by cannibals.-Sen Joni Ernst
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#9096942
08/23/24 06:12 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,947
onlysmith&wesson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,947 |
Will never own another luppy again after this year. Having to look down the side of barrel to kill a bear is BS. They had three chances and 2/3 failures isn’t great odds Night force and March Impact test their scopes. Certain Maven scopes have survived third party impact testing. Ironically Leupold normally fails 3rd testing, not always but it does. I saw impact testing on mark 4 the other day that looked promising. If your scope manufacturer only recommends 18lbs of torque, why. Is the scope tube too thin? All things mechanical fail, the rate of failure is not a guarantee of failure just a probability. I hope no one’s scope fails. Odds are if you careful it won’t, but accidents do happen. I’ll admit I’m rough on stuff, and probably an exception to most cases Where are you getting 18lbs? I thought it was 28? if “your”(as in a generality) scope company only recommends 18lbs, ask why. It wasn’t specific to a certain scope company. The subject is Leupold, and your post was referencing your Leupold. You have good reason to not recommend Leupold without inserting irrelevant data in the middle of your write up.
Last edited by onlysmith&wesson; 08/23/24 06:22 PM.
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: onlysmith&wesson]
#9096950
08/23/24 06:35 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,876
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,876 |
Will never own another luppy again after this year. Having to look down the side of barrel to kill a bear is BS. They had three chances and 2/3 failures isn’t great odds Night force and March Impact test their scopes. Certain Maven scopes have survived third party impact testing. Ironically Leupold normally fails 3rd testing, not always but it does. I saw impact testing on mark 4 the other day that looked promising. If your scope manufacturer only recommends 18lbs of torque, why. Is the scope tube too thin? All things mechanical fail, the rate of failure is not a guarantee of failure just a probability. I hope no one’s scope fails. Odds are if you careful it won’t, but accidents do happen. I’ll admit I’m rough on stuff, and probably an exception to most cases Where are you getting 18lbs? I thought it was 28? if “your”(as in a generality) scope company only recommends 18lbs, ask why. It wasn’t specific to a certain scope company. The subject is Leupold, and your post was referencing your Leupold. You have good reason to not recommend Leupold without inserting irrelevant data in the middle of your write up. Not irrelevant, it’s a check list/ base line that an individual scope meets or doesn’t. He asked to be talked out so means he is open to exploring other options, I’m saying make sure it meets that simple base line. There are scopes skews with in individual MFG lines that don’t meet that, Again it’s a simple call to MFG to ask why.
Bottom line, never trust a man whose uncle was eaten by cannibals.-Sen Joni Ernst
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Re: Should I buy a Leupold?
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#9096955
08/23/24 06:40 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,876
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,876 |
And a few others, like swaro. I was shocked talking to Swaro and they said 17” lbs. I’’m at over 2 months on their warranty now. Luppy was better and had new scope back to Me in a month.
Bottom line, never trust a man whose uncle was eaten by cannibals.-Sen Joni Ernst
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